A comparative study on ABG analyzer versus Laboratory analyzer for estimation of Electrolytes

Abstract

Background: Electrolytes are very important for the continuation of the physiological functions of the human body. When dealing with sick patients admitted in ICU the speed and accuracy of tests to detect electrolyte derangements is very important. Materials & Methods: The present study was planned with the target to research whether electrolyte levels assessed using ABG analyzer and laboratory auto-analyzer (AA) were equivalent or not. 100 paired venous and arterial samples from patients admitted to the Medical Intensive Care Unit (ICU) were analyzed for electrolytes on the ABG analyzer and AA. Data were collected and analyzed with the help of Microsoft Excel version 2010. Results: The mean level of Na+ in serum samples on AA was 139.5±7.9 mmol/L compared 135.8±9.8 mmol/L in ABG analyzer(P < 0.05). The mean K+ in serum sample on AA was 3.9 ± 0.9 mmol/L as compared to 3.6 ± 0.8 mmol/L in ABG analyzer (P < 0.05). The difference in sodium levels through the 2 analyzing methods was statistically significant in the hyponatremia group ((P < 0.05). The difference in Potassium levels through the 2 analyzing methods was statistically significant in the normokalemic group ((P < 0.05). Conclusion: So the physicians should be very cautious in using the electrolyte results of AA and ABG analyzer in inter exchangeable manner. The difference between the measured sodium and potassium was found to be significant. We conclude that critical decisions better to be made by trusting the potassium values obtained from the arterial blood gas analysis.